After the day's inspection ended, there were no banquets elsewhere. Celestial Pivot City was simply too poor now; most of its people could barely put food on the table.
Back aboard the Celestial Axis, Yang Wenqing headed straight to his quiet chamber. Ao Yuan happened to request an audience just then. The timing was so convenient that he had probably been waiting all along.
Yang Wenqing had a member of the Personal Guard bring him to the viewing terrace outside the quiet chamber and poured him a cup of clear tea.
"You certainly live at your leisure. Do you know that news of your victory over Su Qianqian has spread throughout the world? The Western Continent has already ranked you among the Ten Great Experts. The Central Subcontinent is still stubbornly holding out because of Su Qianqian's influence, and they've even suppressed the news that you defeated her."
Ao Yuan sat down, took a drink of tea, and immediately launched into this speech.
Yang Wenqing asked, "It's all just empty fame. What use is it?"
Hearing this, Lan Ying puffed out her chest and looked at Ao Yuan, her eyes seeming to mock his limited understanding.
Ao Yuan pretended not to notice Lan Ying's reaction and said with a smile, "That's both right and wrong. Empty fame may not seem very practical, but it can actually be tremendously useful. For instance, if our trade association flies your banner in the future, no one will dare set their sights on it, even without cultivators stationed there. That would save us quite a lot."
Yang Wenqing lifted his teacup and chuckled despite himself. "You really do keep our business in mind at all times."
Ao Yuan immediately replied, "How could I not? You've already advanced to the third realm, so you should